Impact-Absorbing Ball

ABSTRACT

An impact-absorbing ball has an exterior liner, a ball body, and a damper core. The exterior liner is superimposed onto the ball body and used to provide a textured or friction-reducing surface. The damper core is integrated into the ball body and has multiple density-modified regions that are used to modify the overall durometer of the ball. Thus, the damper core enables the ball to absorb the impact forces generated by a collision with an athletes&#39; body.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/854,171 filed on May 29, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports equipment. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a multicomponent lacrosseball designed improve a ball's impact-absorption properties and flightcharacteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The lacrosse ball has gone through relatively few changes since itsorganized inception in the early 1600's. The overall structure of thelacrosse ball has not changed since the introduction of wooden balls,nearly 400 years ago. The only major improvement came in 1856, when asolid rubber ball was introduced. Balls made of a single piece of solidrubber, and balls made with smooth surfaces suffer several shortcomingsthat lowers the effectiveness and overall safety of an athlete playinglacrosse. Notably, balls with smooth surfaces create unwanted drag, andtherefore cannot be thrown in straight lines at high velocities.Specifically, the Magnus effect prevents smooth lacrosse balls frombeing thrown in a straight line at high velocities. Therefore, athletesinfrequently make long passes at high velocities because the ball cannotbe aimed accurately. Athletes tend to lob passes that are long. However,as the velocity of a thrown lacrosse ball increases, so does the dangerof a bodily injury for the athlete. Specifically, balls made of rigid orinflexible materials cause greater damage to the athlete's body during acollision. Another shortcoming addressed by the present inventionrelates to the smooth surface of the ball becoming slick as materialsgather on the surface and begin to oxidize on the ball. Thereby,reducing the athlete's ability to grip and throw the ball.

The present invention addresses the above-describes issues by providinga lacrosse ball with a structured, impact-absorbing, core and a dimpledsurface.

Specifically, the present invention incorporates damper structures intothe ball core. This enables the present invention to become deformedduring a collision with the athlete's body. Thus, reducing the chance ofinjury. Further, the present invention uses a single homogeneous ballwith a set of density-modified regions to absorb impact forces withoutmodifying the lacrosse ball's weight and size. The present inventionexpands on this safety-improving concept by employing a set oftexturizing dimples to modify the surface of the lacrosse ball, suchthat the athlete is able to throw the ball in a straight line while athigh velocities. In addition to improving flight characteristics, thedimpled surface improves player safety. For example, goalies will beable to better judge the flightpath of a lacrosse ball to avoid CommotioCordis. Finally, the dimpled surface prevents the present invention frombecoming unusably slick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left-side sectional view of the present invention showing afirst density modified region enveloping a second density-modifiedregion.

FIG. 2 is a left-side sectional view of the present invention showing aplurality of density-modified regions distributed throughout a ballbody.

FIG. 3 is a left-side sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention showing a plurality of structural layers enveloping a firstdensity modified region enveloping and a second density-modified region.

FIG. 4 is a left-side sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention indicating the location of magnified view 5.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the present invention taken along line 5in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a separate embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, as a preliminary matter, it willreadily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant artthat the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As shouldbe understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality ofthe disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate onlyone or a plurality of the features disclosed herein. Furthermore, anyembodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is consideredto be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodimentsof the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed foradditional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enablingdisclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail inrelation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure andare made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments isnot intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patentprotection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, whichscope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It isnot intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by readinginto any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appearin the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather thanthe description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join alist of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does notexclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein tojoin a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thefollowing detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described,modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. Forexample, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to theelements illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, the followingdetailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the properscope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The presentdisclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headersare used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon thesubjected matter disclosed under the header.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures anddescription. It should be understood at the outset that, althoughexemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and describedbelow, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented usingany number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The presentdisclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementationsand techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

In the figures, elements having an alphanumeric designation may bereferenced herein collectively or in the alternative, as will beapparent from context, by the numeric portion of the designation only.Further, the constituent parts of various elements in the figures may bedesignated with separate reference numerals which shall be understood torefer to that constituent part of the element and not the element as awhole. General references, along with references to spaces, surfaces,dimensions, and extents, may be designated with arrows.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be readtogether with the specification and are to be considered a portion ofthe entire written description of this invention. As used in thefollowing description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”,“right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbialderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”,“radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustratedstructure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly,the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to theorientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis ofrotation, as appropriate.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the present invention is animpact-absorbing ball that employs a structured core and a texturedsurface to act as an impact absorbing ball. Additionally, the presentinvention employs the textured surface to modify the flightcharacteristics of the present invention. Thus, providing a ball thatimproves performance and safety. To achieve the above-describedfunctionality, the present invention comprises an exterior liner 1 aball body 20, and a damper core 4. The ball body 20 is a structuralcomponent of the present invention and defines the overall shape.Relatedly, the damper core defines 4 the interior structure within theball body 20. Preferably, the present invention makes use of a singlehomogeneous piece of material to form the ball body 20 and the dampercore 4. The density and durometer of various regions within the dampercore 4 is modified to provide a lacrosse ball that has improvedshock-absorbing properties and flight characteristics. In someembodiments, the present invention is able to further reduce the chanceof injury to an athlete by integrating multiple layers of material intoa ball that readily deforms when subjected to the appropriate pressures.By deforming, the present invention absorbs the force of impact causedduring a collision with the athlete's body.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the exterior liner 1 issuperimposed onto the ball body 20 and forms the outermost shell of thepresent invention. Additionally, the exterior liner 1 is designed toprevent the ball from becoming overly smooth or encrusted with debris.To facilitate this, the present invention comprises a plurality oftexturizing recesses 2. The plurality of texturizing recesses 2comprises a collection of recesses 2 that normally traverse into theexterior liner 1 to improve the flight characteristics of the presentinvention. Preferably, the plurality of texturizing recesses 2 isdistributed across the exterior liner 1. As a result, the plurality oftexturizing recesses 2 is arranged into patterns that serve a desiredfunction. Additionally, a shape 22, a perimeter 23, and a depth 21 ofeach of the plurality of textured recesses 2 can be modified to create adesired effect. Preferably, the plurality of texturizing recesses 2 isarranged into a geometric pattern with the shape of each recess being apolygon. However, various shapes including, but not limited to, circles,squares, rectangles, triangles, and parallelogram can be used as well.Embodiments of the present invention are designed with texturizingrecesses 2 that are arranged into patterns that facilitate flight.Additionally, the depth 21 of each of the plurality of texturizingrecesses 2 is optimized to produce a desired effect on flightcharacteristics. In some embodiments, the present invention furthercomprises a friction-reducing coating 11 that is superimposed onto theexterior liner 1. Accordingly, the friction-reducing coating 11 reducesthe drag on the present invention during flight. In some embodiments,the friction-reducing coating 11 can be removed and replaced wheneverthe surface of the exterior liner becomes overly slick or encrusted withdebris.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, preferably, the ball body 20 is designedto absorb the impact forces that occur during a collision with anathlete's body. To achieve this functionality, the damper core 4 isintegrated into the ball body 20. As a result, impact forces applied tothe exterior liner 1 are transferred directly through the ball body 20and into the damper core 4. Additionally, the damper core comprises atleast one first density-modified region 41 and at least one seconddensity-modified region 42. The first density-modified region 41 and thesecond density-modified region 42 form sections of the damper core thathave varying durometers. Thus, by incorporating a plurality of densitymodified regions into the damper core 4, the present invention is ableto provide a highly structured lacrosse ball that is constructed from ahomogeneous piece of material. Additionally, variations in the densityand durometer of the first density-modified region 41 and the seconddensity-modified region 42 enable the present invention to retain theoverall shape and weight of a lacrosse ball, while employingimpact-absorbing structures. In some embodiments, a density of the firstdensity-modified region 41 is greater than a density of the seconddensity-modified region 42. Consequently, the difference in densitybetween the first density-modified region 41 and the seconddensity-modified region 42 enables the durometer and shock absorbingproperties of the present invention to be tailored to specific purposes.For example, the density of the first density-modified region 41 and thedensity of the second density-modified region 42 can be adjusted to makea softer ball for younger athletes than for professional players.Preferably, the density of the damper core 4 is manufactured as agradient that increases with distance from a central ball core. However,in some embodiments the density of the damper core 4 is manufactured asa gradient that decreases with distance from a central ball core

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the firstdensity-modified region 41 envelops the second density-modified region42 so that the first density-modified region 41 acts as a buffer betweenexterior portions of the ball body 20 and the second density-modifiedregion 42. In further embodiments, a plurality of density-modifiedregions is distributed throughout the damper core 20 and is used toadvantageously position the center of gravity of the present inventionsuch that the rotational characteristics facilitate being thrown in astraight line at high velocities.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the ball body 20comprises a plurality of structural layers 3. The plurality ofstructural layers 3 is composed of a set of materials and structuresthat modify the durometer and impact-absorbing properties of the presentinvention. Preferably each of the plurality of layers 3 is superimposedonto a preceding layer, with a base layer being mounted around a centralball damper core 4. Further, an exterior layer 32 is positioned inbetween an interior layer 31 and the exterior liner 1, where theexterior layer 32 and the interior layer 31 are from the plurality ofstructural layers 3. Preferably, the damper core 4 is a deformablesphere of material that makes up an interior compartment of the presentinvention. Additionally, each of the plurality of structural layers 3 isdesigned to add a unique benefit to the flight characteristics orimpact-absorbing properties of the present invention. In one embodimentthe plurality of deformable layers 3 comprises a deformable bladder 33.The deformable bladder 33 is a fluid-filled sac that acts as animpact-absorbing layer. Thus, the deformable bladder 33 functions as animbedded cushion against which the damper core 4 presses when thepresent invention collides with an external object.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, preferably the composition of theplurality of structural layers 3 is such that a durometer of each layeris selected to optimize the impact-absorbing properties of the presentinvention. Further, some embodiments are designed where the durometer ofeach of the plurality of structural layers 3 is different. Thisvariation enables the present invention to function as a lacrosse ball,during normal play, without reducing the impact-absorbing capabilitiesof the ball body 20. Preferably, the durometer of the present inventionis such that a pressure of 70-80 psi compresses the ball body 20 by 25%.Additionally, the plurality of structural layers 3 is constructed usinglayers of varying density. In some embodiments, the center of mass forthe ball body 20 is positioned in between the damper core 4 and theexterior liner 1. As a result, a center of mass for the presentinvention can be positioned to optimize the flight characteristics ofthe ball body 20.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in some embodiments the interior layer31 is not directly superimposed onto an exterior surface of the dampercore 4. In these embodiments, the present invention further comprises acore suspension assembly 5. The core suspension assembly 5 is a harnessthat is mounted in between the plurality of structural layers and thedamper core 4. Thus positioned, the suspension assembly 5 enables thedamper core 4 to be retained in a position that facilitates impactabsorption. In further embodiments, the core suspension assembly 5enables the damper core 4 to move along multiple degrees of freedom asthe present invention rolls or is thrown. Further, the core suspensionassembly 5 is operatively coupled in between the deformable core 4 andthe base layer so that the damper core 4 is able to act as a tuned massdamper. Thus, the core suspension assembly 5 dynamically repositions thecenter of gravity to modify the flight characteristics of the presentinvention. The preferred embodiment of the invention is composed ofnatural rubber compounds; however, multiple materials may be used withvarying durometers such as Silicone, SBR, EPDM, Polyurethane, Nitrile orother synthetic materials that react in an elastomeric property. Othermaterials such as metal alloys, liquid gels, or organic materials may beused. Certain layers may also be void of material or consist of gases.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An impact-absorbing ball comprising: an exteriorliner; a ball body; a damper core; the damper core comprising at leastone first density-modified region and at least one seconddensity-modified region; the exterior liner being superimposed onto theball body; the damper core being integrated into the ball body; thefirst density-modified region being positioned offset from the seconddensity-modified region; and a center of mass being positioned offsetfrom the exterior liner.
 2. The shock-absorbing ball as claimed in claim1, wherein the damper core and the ball body being formed from a singlehomogenous piece of material.
 3. The shock-absorbing ball as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a density of the first density-modified region beinggreater than a density of the second density-modified region.
 4. Theshock-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstdensity-modified region envelops the second density-modified region. 5.The impact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 1, comprising: the ballbody comprising a plurality of structural layers; and an interior layerbeing positioned in between an exterior layer and the damper core,wherein the interior layer and the exterior layer being from theplurality of structural layers.
 6. The impact-absorbing ball as claimedin claim 5, comprising: the plurality of structural layers comprising adeformable bladder; and the deformable bladder enveloping the deformablecore.
 7. The flight-enhanced ball as claimed in claim 5, wherein adurometer of each of the plurality of structural layers being different.8. The impact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a coresuspension assembly; and the core suspension assembly being mounted inbetween the ball body and the deformable core.
 9. The impact-absorbingball as claimed in claim 8, wherein the core suspension assembly isoperatively coupled to the deformable core, and wherein the coresuspension assembly dynamically repositions the center of gravity tomodify flight characteristics.
 10. The impact-absorbing ball as claimedin claim 8, wherein the core suspension assembly is operatively coupledto the deformable core to act as an inertial damper.
 11. Theimpact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 1, comprising: afriction-reducing coating; and the friction-reducing being superimposedonto the exterior lining.
 12. The impact-absorbing ball as claimed inclaim 1, comprising: a plurality of texturizing recesses; and theplurality of texturizing recesses traversing into the exterior lining.13. The impact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 12, wherein theplurality of texturizing recesses being formed by a plurality of shapes.14. The impact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 12, wherein theplurality of texturizing recesses having a plurality of recess depths.15. The impact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 12, wherein theplurality of texturizing recesses having a plurality perimeters.
 16. Theimpact-absorbing ball as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality oftexturizing recesses having a plurality distribution patterns.